The shopkeeper's idea of this is interesting! Vol.02 -2024/12-
Hello everyone, I am writing this article in the latter half of December 2024. That being said, I would like to introduce some of the things I liked and used this year. However, it is winter now. I would like to introduce seasonal items that are suitable for use from spring to summer in that season. And while most of the items are for use in the mountains, I would also like to introduce some items that can be used in your lifestyle.
I thought there would be some warm days until November, but December is cold after all. It looks like there will be many more days where I can't get out of bed in the morning because of the cold. And during the New Year holidays, I'll be pumping more calories and alcohol into my body, which is already lacking in exercise, which is pretty scary to think about.
Despite this, I have found several pieces of cold weather gear that I think are perfect, so I would like to introduce them to you.
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR / Versatile Blanket
I love wool blankets, synthetic blankets, and blankets with padding, and I use them often. However, they are heavy and difficult to carry, so I only use them outdoors when I go camping by car. Another disadvantage is that they are difficult to wash.
Among them, the Versatile Blanket from RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR is a multi-purpose blanket that is exactly what I wanted! I haven't been able to let it go since it was released.
Light and warm!
It's surprisingly light at just 290g , yet keeps you warm. The secret is the Polartec® Power Fill™ used in the padding. This material is resistant to washing and keeps the padding in place. It stays comfortable even when used hard outdoors, making it a reliable item.
Wrap it around your waist for instant warmth
By simply wrapping this blanket around your waist, you can effectively warm areas with large blood vessels, such as your waist and thighs. When it's cold, you can wrap it around your pants without having to take off your shoes or pants. What's more, the size can be adjusted to fit your body, and the design is also great because it won't slip off.
Great for babies
My second daughter will soon be one year old, and this blanket has been a big help when I hold her in the winter. Just throw it over the baby carrier and you and your baby will be warm, and it can also be used as a light swaddle. It's also useful as a cover for breastfeeding or as a blanket.
Versatile for use at home or outdoors
It is perfect not only for covering your feet when working at a desk at home, but also for outdoor breaks. Compared to heavy blankets such as wool blankets, the Versatile Blanket is lightweight and compact, so you can easily carry it when camping or hiking. This lightness makes it much more convenient for outdoor activities.
A versatile companion for everyday use and outdoor activities
As its name suggests, the Versatile Blanket is versatile and highly versatile. This blanket is lightweight, warm, and easy to use, making it perfect for everyday use and outdoor activities. It's a versatile item that will make you think, "I wanted something like this!"
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR / Alpha Booster Vest
Lightweight and warm
This vest, made with Polartec® Alpha® Direct, features a good balance of lightness and warmth thanks to its thick material. The slightly loose fit gives it a cute look and makes it attractive to look at. It is especially useful as a single piece to boost warmth in spring and autumn, and can also be used as an inner layer in winter. It is also easy to use in high mountains and the Alps in summer.
Flexible use with layering I think vests are meant to be layered rather than worn alone. Personally, I think it's best to combine it with a shirt, and when it's cold, you can wear it over the shirt, and when it's even colder, you can wear it inside the shirt to trap dead air and increase the heat retention effect. This flexible way of wearing it is why it can be used in a wide range of temperatures.
Hand warmer pockets are simple yet useful, helping you keep your hands warm when it's cold. This pocket is a nice touch that helps you protect yourself from the cold.
I personally use the Alpha Booster Vest in combination with the RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR Versatile Blanket. This set provides outstanding warmth and has become an essential piece of gear for me. This vest is perfect for everyday use and is a great piece to have on hand.
Teton Bros. / Octa Highloft Fullzip Hoody
I often use the Teton Bros. Octa High Loft Full Zip Hoody for everyday use and for hiking in the low mountains.
The biggest feature of this product is the material that combines Octa and wool. When you hear Octa, many people think of Octa CPCP fabric, but in fact "Octa" is the name of the fiber. The Octa High Loft Full Zip Hoody uses a hybrid material that combines Octa fiber and wool fiber. Therefore, in addition to the heat retention, breathability, and quick drying properties of Octa, it also combines the benefits of wool's unique moisture absorption, antibacterial properties, and heat retention, resulting in a very functional finish.
As the name suggests, it is "high loft" and has a slightly longer pile. When I saw this brown color, I thought of Chewbacca from "Star Wars". I love Chewbacca, so I enjoy feeling like Chewbacca when I wear this.
When I actually tried it on, it was warm, of course, but the material was more breathable than I expected. And because of the high-loft characteristics of the long pile, it was very warm when covered with a shell. Therefore, it can be used flexibly depending on the temperature and the scene. I often wear it from the city for easy hikes and walks.
The overall size is loose, so it's a little difficult to wear under a tight shell. I often wear it with a loose jacket, such as the Stonemaster Minotech Jacket. This combination is very warm and comfortable.
Above all, I like how good it looks and how warm it is to wear, so I wear it frequently both in my daily life and on the mountain. I highly recommend it as a piece that combines functionality and design.
Do you have trouble choosing the right socks for winter? I had trouble, until I found Woolpower Socks 400.
When it gets cold, I wear merino wool socks both in the mountains and on a daily basis. Merino wool socks are what we call mountain socks. I'm sure many of you use mountain socks on a daily basis. I've been doing the same up until now. Therefore, I have had fewer opportunities to buy regular cotton socks, and I thought that was fine. However, last year I wore Woolpower cut-and-sew tops and other items and they were comfortable, so I decided to try Woolpower Socks 400 to protect myself from the cold in winter.
Then, I made an unexpected discovery. Mountain socks tend to be quite tight. I was used to them so I didn't really mind, but when I tried on the Woolpower Socks 400, I was surprised at how comfortable and relaxed they were without being too tight. The knitting was loose and warm, and I felt a little happiness.
The reason I like these socks is that they are warm and don't get stuffy. Another point is that they don't have the smell that is unique to merino wool. What's more, the colors are cute, so they are easy to use for everyday wear.
Woolpower socks are also available in thicker models, such as 600 and 800, which are perfect for wearing indoors or as room socks.
However, there are some disadvantages. Because they are not tight, they tend to slip out of place inside your shoes, and may slide around inside your shoes while you are walking. For this reason, they may not be suitable for activities such as hiking or running. However, I think they are best for everyday use.
LLBEAN / Men's Wicked Good Venetian Slippers
LLBean's Wicked Good Venetian Slippers are meant to be worn indoors, but I also wear them outdoors. They're not recommended for outdoor wear, but they're perfectly fine for short walks. They're especially useful in cold weather or while driving.
These shoes are made from Australian wool and natural materials. Those who wear these shoes for the first time may have the impression that they will be "stuffy" or "smelly", but in fact it is quite the opposite. Wool has the property of absorbing moisture and releasing it. It provides a comfortable fit while maintaining heat retention. In addition, wool's antibacterial properties suppress the growth of bacteria, so there is almost no odor. Therefore, you can wear them comfortably even outside the cold season. This point is similar to the characteristics of merino wool products.
Originally, Ugg boots were used for surfers to wear after coming out of the ocean, so there is no problem wearing them barefoot. In fact, I wore them barefoot around the beginning of autumn. This is because I was stung by a wasp on the top of both my feet in October, and my feet were badly swollen, so I had no shoes to wear, and sandals hurt because they rubbed against my feet. It is in such a situation that you can really tell the difference in comfort. Other shoes were painful, but these shoes were comfortable. And they didn't feel stuffy even with bare feet, so I'm glad I had these shoes.
I think that in Japan, they are more convenient to wear outside as everyday shoes rather than inside the house. I especially recommend the mid-cut type for women, as it has a cute design and is highly practical.
Sizes are only available in 1cm increments, so it may be difficult to find the perfect size. However, they will stretch slightly as you wear them, so it's best to choose the exact size. It's recommended to choose something that fits you well.
MOFMA / TABLE TOP carbon / Regular
Although it's not a cold weather item, I would like to introduce this as well.
The Mofuma Table Top Carbon is meant to be used in combination with the Ghost Table, but I use it on its own. I rarely take a table with me when I go to the mountains, and when I do, I choose this Table Top Carbon.
There are several reasons to use this table. First, when using an alcohol stove or solid fuel, there are times when you cannot place the fire directly on the ground or on the table. In such cases, you can use this tabletop carbon without damaging the ground or table. Of course, there are also situations where you simply want to use it as a table.
Another reason is that it works well with frameless backpacks. For example, when using a frameless backpack like the Trail Bum Big Turtle, I use this Table Top Carbon as a frame to make the back of the backpack flat. I don't really like the mat that comes with it, so I remove it and use this tabletop instead. This makes the back of the backpack stable, and it can also be used as a table, so it's a very useful item that kills two birds with one stone.
It is originally intended to be combined with the Ghost Table, but I often use it as is, adjusting the level by placing stones on the ground. I have had no problems using it like this. I think that the fact that it can be used freely like this is also one of the charms of this tabletop.
So, the next one will be in 2025! We hope you will continue to support ROCK STEPPERS in 2025.